Variant IDs are unique identifiers for each specific version (ex Small/Medium/Large) of a product in Shopify, regardless of SKU or product ID. Unlike SKUs (which can be duplicated) or product IDs (which apply to the whole product), variant IDs are always unique and are required when performing actions like adding items to the cart, managing subscriptions, or using third-party apps.

If you need to identify customers subscribed to a specific product version or request help from support, having the variant ID is essential—it tells exactly which version of the product you’re referring to, avoiding confusion with similar SKUs or products. It’s the most precise way to link a subscription or order to the exact item.

If the product has visible variants:

When your product has visible variants like Small, Medium, and Large finding the variant ID is easy:

1. Go to Shopify Admin → Products.
2. Click the product.
3. In the Variants section, click one of the options.
4. The variant ID appears in the URL:

/your-store/products/PRODUCT_ID/variants/VARIANT_ID

If the product uses a default (hidden) variant:

When your product does not have options and is just a standalone product it can be a bit trickier:

1. Go to the product in Shopify Admin.
2. In the address bar, you’ll see a URL like: https://admin.shopify.com/store/your-store/products/1234567890
3. Add .json to the end: https://admin.shopify.com/store/your-store/products/1234567890.json
4. Press Enter — you’ll see a JSON file with product details.
5. Search for "variants" — the first id listed under it is your variant ID.

🔍 What is the Default Variant?

In Shopify, every product must have at least one variant.
If a product has no options (like size or color), Shopify creates a “default variant” behind the scenes. It’s not shown in the admin, but it still exists and has an ID you’ll need for things like adding to cart or managing subscriptions.